John Smith
May 2, 1935 ~ September 1, 2017 (age 82) 82 Years OldShare using:
John D. Smith (Jack) of Pawtucket passed to eternal life on September 1, 2017.
He was the son of Homer Smith and Margaret (D’Oliveira) Smith and beloved husband of Millie Smith for 63 years.
John is survived by his five children; Roxanne Boisse of Moosup Ct., Karen Jutras and husband Richard of Viera, FL, Cathy McCaughey and husband Michael of No.Attleboro, MA , John T. Smith and wife Julie of Richmond, R.I. and Douglas Smith and wife Christine of No.Attleboro, MA., sister Eleanor Devonis, eleven grandchildren , two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
John proudly served in the U.S. Army where he was a member of the 3rd Army swimming and diving team.
His love of children and swimming was evident while being employed as Pawtucket Parks and Recreation Water Safety Instructor/WSI Trainer for many years at most of the schools and pools located throughout the city.
John was the founder of the Max Read Memorial and Invitational Swimming and Diving Championships from 1970-1983 and inducted into the R.I. Aquatic Hall of Fame in June of 2002. John was also a R.I. Football Official Referee for over 20 years.
While employed at Providence Lithograph early in his career, John furthered his education at RI College earning a Bachelor and Master’s Degree while becoming a Graphic Arts vocational teacher with the Attleboro Public School System where he retired in 1994.
Upon retirement, John volunteered his time at the Veteran’s Hospital in Providence, with homework for kids in the after school program at the Boys and Girls Club in Pawtucket and with adults at the Leon Mathieu Senior Center downtown.
John was also a proud member of the Juvenile Hearing Board for the City of Pawtucket.
Thank you John for your devotion to your family, friends and the City of Pawtucket.
You will be missed by all.
The funeral for John will be Wednesday, September 6th at 9:00 am from the Manning-Heffern Funeral home, 68 Broadway, Pawtucket. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial in Pope John Paul II Parish Church, (formerly the Church of St. Leo the Great) Central Avenue, Pawtucket at 10:00 am. His burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.
The calling hours for John will be Tuesday from 4-7 pm in the funeral home.
Charitable donations may be made to:
Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket
1 Moeller Place, Pawtucket RI 02860
